Jetboil SOL VS MSR Reactor

[Aron Snyder]

MSR has come out with a lighter weight Reactor to compete with the Jetboil SOL. I've used the old Reactor multiple times in the past, and while it was a more durable stove, the weight and bulk was more than I wanted to carry.

The new MSR Reactor 1L is below a pound now, and from the looks of it, the Reactor will also perform better in high wind, adverse weather and high altitude.

So I'm going to be doing a "boil off" in a controlled environment (my living room) between the MSR Reactor and Jetboil SOL later today.

This test will be the first of many, as I will be bouncing back and forth throughout the season to find out what system is best (for me anyway).

Who wants to take bets on the boil time winner?

 

[Hardstalk]

How much water? Whats the wager? Is betting via paypal legal? I got 10 on it just need some more details first.

 

[HJ Handy]

I'd like to see the weight specs, i had the first reactor and it boiled fast during a test but never fielded it due to the weight. The heating element was the biggest concern for the weight. I may get the new one next year.

 

[Aron Snyder]

How much water? Whats the wager? Is betting via paypal legal? I got 10 on it just need some more details first.

Everything will be equal, but 16oz is what I was thinking.

 

[cmeier117]

I am curious on this as well. I was going to just buy a titanium jetboil cup to go with my SOTO ODR-1 stove but may re consider this if testing goes well. I know with my zip stove (poor mans solo ti) with the SOTO burner it boiled like 50% faster than stock stove.

 

[Gman]

I think the indoor test is a good start and a good metric but I'm also curious to see the at altitude and wind tests. I think that's really where the Jetboil shines. Looking forward to it.

 

[armyjoe]

The Reactor is gonna win.

 

[Aron Snyder]

13 minutes on the Esbit...

My A.D.D was starting to redline!

 

[gobbler1662]

Aron,can you comment on whether the Reactor can be used as an independant pot and say placed on top a wood stove for warm ups. Thats one flaw of the Jet Boil is the inability to heat the SOL Pot on your wood stove.

 

[cmeier117]

Haha!!! If I had to wait that long I would eat my mountain house with no water.

 

[Trout bum]

I don't use either but I'll guess 3:08 Reactor wins. Are these the two best stoves out there for backcountry elk? I use a snow peak litemax but could always use a new stove if they perform better. thanks.

 

[littlebuf]

ive been thinking about getting one of these stoves, I should say the jetboil sol. I don't know much about the msr. but are they really that much better than the pocket rocket that I use? ive never run out of fuel, I only boil once a day for my dinner and ive never thought it took that long. what is the advantage over a simpler stove like the pocket rocket? I know theres a heat transfer built in but is it worth the extra money?

 

[Justin Crossley]

Ok Aron, we're ready for the test!

 

[cmeier117]

ive been thinking about getting one of these stoves, I should say the jetboil sol. I don't know much about the msr. but are they really that much better than the pocket rocket that I use? ive never run out of fuel, I only boil once a day for my dinner and ive never thought it took that long. what is the advantage over a simpler stove like the pocket rocket? I know theres a heat transfer built in but is it worth the extra money?

If you are hunting or backpacking at high elevations and temperature and wind is a problem, then maybe. But if you have never had an issue and never ran out of fuel and haven't starved.... well then I would say the pocket rocket is doing its job. Is it as fast? No, but a couple minutes isn't a big deal if it isn't a big deal to you.

 

[actionshooter]

Aaron----whats your elevation where your at?

 

[Snyd]

This will be interesting. Try sticking them in front of a fan also.

The Reactor 1L pot is only 3ozs lighter than the 1.7L. I don't see that has any real world advantage over the 1.7L pot. Mud on my boots weighs more than that MSR specs say longer boil times to. I think the 1L is an afterthought attempt to sell more stoves to a backpacking world obsessed with an extra ounce in their pack being too heavy....

I see the Jetboils as more of a solo unit and the Reactor as a 2 or 3 man stove. I think the 1L pot is a step backwards for the Reactor and takes away from it's capability and intended use. Turns it into a "heavy" solo unit.

I've had the Reactor with the 1.7L pot for a few years now. The pot and stove only weigh 17ozs. For a 2 man water boiler the thing rocks. It will boil 1L+ of water in about 3 mins. That's 2 mtns houses or coffee and oatmeal water for 2 etc. in one boil. It's not the uber light weight 3 day solo-hunt unit but for 2 guys on a 10 day hunt it's the bomb. Not affected by wind and boil time is the same with full or dang near empty fuel can. It works well for what it was intended for.

 

[Sea37]

13 minutes on the Esbit...

My A.D.D was starting to redline!

Another 17 minutes and you could have some fresh drinking water.

 

[Aron Snyder]

6,000 feet at my front porch, but I've burned the JB and Reactor at 14,000K several times.

Aaron----whats your elevation where your at?

 

[Aron Snyder]

[video=vimeo;66608147]https://vimeo.com/66608147[/video]

 

[justin davis]

Nice video. The MSR looks pretty cool. Looking forward to more of your time with that thing.